Marking the fulfillment of a budget promise, Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu launched a “Mobile Application for Paperless Unreserved Tickets” meant for rail commuters on Suburban (MMTS) section in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, through Remote Video Link from New Delhi on Wednesday. This launch is yet another step forward of Indian Railways in its endeavor to serve suburban rail users better.

The launch function was simultaneously held at Secunderabad Railway Station at which Rajya Sabha MP V. Hanumantha Rao, was the distinguished Guest of Honour. SCR General Manager Ravindra Gupta, Additional GM Anil Kumar Gupta, Chief Commercial Manager M. Papi Reddy and other officials were also present.

Addressing the gathering before the launch, Ravindra Gupta highlighted the focus accorded on the zone towards IT enabled initiatives, with a view to provide better services to the passengers. The launch of the new App for paperless ticketing is another step ahead in this direction, he averred. Elaborating on the salient features of the App, The General Manager informed that this will facilitate ease of booking for passengers, avoids cash transactions, reflects green technology without the use of paper, offers convenience of round the clock ticketing and takes away the worry of losing the Rail ticket.

Going on to detail the use of IT towards affording convenience to rail users in the twin cities, Ravindra Gupta stated that, the ticketing process has been streamlined to a significant extent with the installation of 70 ATVMs (Automatic Ticket Vending Machines) covering all MMTS stations, including 12 ATVMs which are both cash and smart card based. GPS/ GPRS based LED display monitors installed in MMTS trains and Stations provide actual running status of MMTS trains and enable auto announcements. User friendly mobile Apps HYLITES to disseminate live status of MMTS trains on run and RISSTA for strengthening security cover of MMTS passengers have become immensely popular, the GM added.

Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, who addressed the gathering from the Conference Hall, Railway Board, New Delhi after launching the mobile app, stated that Indian Railways is taking several measures towards ensuring a comfortable travel to rail users, Keeping the requirements of various sections of rail commuters in view. The mobile app for unreserved ticketing in the suburban MMTS sections of Falaknuma-Lingampalli, Hyderabad-Falaknuma and Lingampalli-Hyderabad in Hyderabad city, follows the launch of the facility in four other metros of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Chennai earlier, he stated. The plans of Indian Railways lay stress to extend these sort of innovative measures to cover more areas on its network.

Along with the launch of “Mobile Application for Paperless Unreserved Tickets” meant for rail commuters on Suburban (MMTS) section in the twin cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad today, the Hon’ble Minister of Railways also launched hand held terminals for TTEs on Northern Railway and E-booking of bed rolls at New Delhi & Hazrat Nizamuddin Stations.

Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways also spoke. A. K. Mital, Chairman Railway Board, was amongst the officials present at New Delhi. (INN)